Pregnancy and Depression
Author: Heather Slee
Pregnancy is a magical, beautiful time for many women. For some women, the changing hormones, the stress, and the side effects may lead to some depression. This can range from mild, occasional feelings of sadness or worry, to severe symptoms that interfere with your daily life activities.
Not only can depression hurt you, it can also harm your fetus. According to Doctor Diana Dell, "The data emerging in animal and epidemiological studies suggests that what I've been telling my patients for years is true: When you're depressed you generate some pretty noxious chemicals, like the stress hormone cortisol." Doctor Dell goes on to explain, "Pregnant mother's stress may also affect the way her baby responds to stress in his own life - for example, he may be more prone to feeling stress. In studies in which pregnant rats are stressed, their offspring show behavioral differences."
So for you and for your baby, if you feel some of the following symptoms (from HelpGuide.org), it's time to take action:
- Hopelessness
- Constant stress or anxiety
- Excessive sleep or inability to sleep
- Self-loathing
- Inability to control negative thoughts
- Often short-tempered or irritable
- Lack of concentration or difficulty doing normal activities
Step one-don't blame yourself or feel guilty for your feelings. This affects millions of women. Be proud of yourself for recognizing the change in your mood and actions and for taking steps to care for yourself.
Next, talk to your doctor. For some people, this is easier said than done. You may feel embarrassed or guilty or you just want to keep your private feelings to yourself. But you truly need to do the right thing, even if it's difficult to do. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
Your doctor will have a recommendation for you. It might be counseling, mild anti-depressants, or even just a prescription for you to take more time for yourself or to share your feelings more with your support network. Talk it over with your doctor so you both are aware of each others' opinions and thoughts, and you are clear on what needs to be done.
You will not regret taking action on feelings of depression. Life is too short to spend it with all those negative thoughts and feelings. You are important and you need to take care of yourself. Also, if you let it go, or if you think it will eventually pass, you may be kidding yourself. Depression can turn ugly after your child is born-post-partum depression. It is a serious condition that affects millions of women around the globe. Don't let it steal the joy from your life.
And if you've been feeling depressed for a while and are concerned that your baby will be negatively affected, Doctor Dell also reports, "Remember that genetics plays a role for your baby and so does environment - whether a child grows up in a supportive, loving family. Since babies' brains continue to develop after they're born, they can learn new behaviors to compensate for those prenatal influences." You have the greatest influence on your child; make sure you take care of yourself so that you are the role model you want to be.